Mittwoch, 30. April 2014

The plant called the lady's mantle is called Alchemilla vulgaris, in botanical circles. The botanical name
of the plant is due to a peculiar pseudoscientific reputation the plant
has, and the belief that the leaves of the herb are very efficient at
collecting dew. Alchemilla, as suggested by the genus name of the plant
is a direct reference to the alchemists, these early chemist and
magicians believed that dewdrops which gathered on the leaves of the
lady's mantle had some magical powers that could really help them in
their ultimate quest for the philosopher's stone - a mythical magical
stone, believed to be capable of turning base metals like lead to
precious gold. Aside from the botanical name, and the allusions to
alchemy, the plant also has a common name - lady's mantle given due to
the plants very shapely and pleated leaves that look like a lady's cloak
in medieval times. Perhaps the cloak was though suitable for the Virgin
Mary and the original common name of the herb was - Our-Lady's-mantle
in honor of Mary.

Montag, 28. April 2014

“I don’t want to stand before youlike a thing, shrewd, secretive.I want my own will, and I wantsimply to be with my will,as it goes toward action.And in the silent, sometimes hardly moving times,when something is coming near,I want to be with those who knowsecret things or else alone.I want to unfold.I don’t want to be folded anywhere,because where I am folded,there I am a lie.”

Freitag, 11. April 2014

During thelast 25years, Iwas able to experiencehow wonderful naturecures, in the simplest mannerand acts.Spring and early summer are most valuabletimes tocollect medicinalherbs.The bestare the daysaround
the full moon. Twoimportant
medicinalherbsI would like tointroduce. Bothherbsare
mainly used topurify and detoxifyandhavevaluable
ingredients. Accurateinformation
on the applicationyoucan findon the internet, or viainformationfrom the pharmacy.Ofcourse, always collectfromunfertilizedmeadows.

Prevent or cure liver diseases,
such as hepatitis or jaundice; act as a tonic and gentle diuretic to purify
your blood, cleanse your system, dissolve kidney stones, and otherwise improve
gastro-intestinal health; assist in weight reduction; cleanse your skin and
eliminate acne; improve your bowel function, working equally well to relieve
both constipation and diarrhea; prevent or lower high blood pressure; prevent
or cure anemia; lower your serum cholesterol by as much as half; eliminate or
drastically reduce acid indigestion and gas buildup by cutting the heaviness of
fatty foods; prevent or cure various forms of cancer; prevent or control
diabetes mellitus; and, at the same time, have no negative side effects and
selectively act on only what ails you. Then Dandelion is for you.

Use
the fresh leaves in a salad or for juice extraction. To dry the herb, tie the
plants in a bundle and hang them in a shady location.

Lady's smock, a harbinger of spring with its soft purple
flowers, has been used traditionally to make a revitalizing springtime tonic.
Also known as "meadow cress" and "cuckoo flower", the herb
is rich in minerals and vitamin C and works its medicinal effects whether eaten
in salads, prepared as a juice or tea or applied topically.

Plant Facts : Lady's-smock
belongs to the Cruciferae, or mustard family. This medicinal plant grows in a
height of 8-12 inches. The young leaves in particular have the spicy scent of
watercress, which is from the same family.

Origin : Lady's smock is
widespread in all grassy regions of Europe. The plant grows best in damp
locations along streams and at th edges of forests. It is also found in dry
meadows gardens, ditches and cultivated fields.

Parts Used : In general,
the young leaves, the shoots and all the flowering, above ground parts are
used.

Components : The medically
active components contained in lady's smock include bitters and minerals, such
as potassium, iron and magnesium, in addition to high levels of vitamin C. also
noteworthy are its mustard oil compounds, which stimulate blood flow to the
outer layer of skin.

Indications : Because of
its high minerals content, lady's smock has a strengthening and invigorating effect
and is often recommended in natural medicine. Its mustard oil compounds prompt
the liver and kidneys to increase activity. In traditional medicine, the dried
plant has been used to prepare a soothing and antispasmodic tea for relieving
both stubborn coughs and abdominal cramps. A valuable herb for women, it is
often used for menstrual disorders, especially to treat heavy periods. Lady's
smock may also be applied topically to promote blood flow to the skin's
surface, which can soothe the pain of arthritis and rheumatism and aid in the
healing of skin irritations and eruptions.

Montag, 7. April 2014

After I hadthe photosdeveloped,I looked for asuitable,beautiful magnoliapoem and i was so lucky

to find the wonderful poems of
Patricia Neely-Dorsey, who loves to share her poems with us.

~The Magnolia
Tree~

There's a
majestic, old magnolia tree,

That stands in
my front yard;

It's a tree
that's grown there for ages,

And whose beauty
you can't disregard.

She spreads her
branches quite nobly.

She stretches
her arms so commandingly,

As if certainly
crying out to be seen.

She's the center
of much activity,

And I know a
squirrel family lives there;

I'm sure she
affords them much comfort,

For her branches
don't ever go bare.

There's so much
that's gone on around her,

I'm sure that so
much could be told;

But she keeps
all her secrets well guarded,

And simply
remains a sight to behold.

by Patricia
Neely-Dorsey

~Steel Magnolia~

Breathtaking,

Delicate beauty

Of Creamy Perfection

With Roots Running Deep

In Southern Soil,

A history almost

As old as time,

And endurance

As tough as

Steel;

She defies description

And explanation

But...

Beauty is its own excuse

2012 Patricia Neely-Dorsey

from Magnolia Memories and Musings -In Poems

About the artist Patricia Neely-Dorsey:

I think that I
would best describe my poetry as "folk poetry"

Storytelling is a special Mississippi folk art. To me,
folk art is simply art made/performed by
ordinary "folk" for ordinary "folk". Folk artists attempt
to freeze their memories into their art and help to preserve the culture and
customs of everyday life. With Reflections, I hope to offer a time capsule, of
sorts, for future generations, offering a glimpse into the everyday lives of
everyday people in our region.

I must admit an affinity for the familiar, the common,
the everyday, the ordinary and the simple
things of life. Reflections is essentially "shapshots' from my life
in written form of people, places, events and lessons learned.

Books:

„Reflections of a Mississippi Magnolia“ -A Life in Poems/
a celebration of the south and things southern